Washington vs. Washington State Post-Game Quotes
March 01, 2003 | Women's Basketball
March 1, 2003
Post-Game Quotes
Head Coach June Daugherty
General Comments: "It's been an amazing year and great at home. Between the fans, and the media, and the team playing well, it was a very emotional day. It was great for our five seniors to close out the regular season in front of the crowd that we had. I'm so proud of our ball club and the success we had all season. It was really special to have Andrea's mom, Gaylene Lalum here. She's been battling Hodgkin's Disease for three years. She made a fourteen-hour trip to be here. It was great to have her here. It was the only game she got to see all year.
On win: "You really have to give it to the Washington State coaches. They stuck with their kids in their first year. We played them in what seems like a long time ago, in December to open up the Pac-10. They've improved a lot.
On seniors: "They came in and we had pretty high expectations on them. High School All-Americans, All-State players, they knew coming in what the tradition is like here at the University of Washington. Not having a home arena their first year was a tough thing to ask of them. They knew coming in that we were going to have a tough road ahead, but that we were going to get a great thing out of it, the arena. I think they'd tell you it was worth it now. Though being 8-22 that year was very difficult. One of the things I appreciate the most about them is that they didn't quit, they didn't turn pale and run, they stayed with it and said, "I've got to find a way to make myself better because I want to turn this around." And they did it. It's been a real privilege to see the crowds that we've had and to lead the conference in attendance in this beautiful arena. And play the basketball they're playing and be nationally ranked."
On resting the players: "It's a fine line because you want them to be ready physically. In our situation, they'd have to win three games in three nights, but we think they'll have a little bit of time off here and get back to work on Tuesday. You don't want to lose your edge; you always want to work on getting better. It's a balancing act; we've been really fortunate in the past postseasons. Our strength coach and our trainer work all year to get these kids to this point physically. Where they're strong, but not where their legs are gone. It's definitely a challenge, but I think we're ready for it."
On home crowd: "The attendance has been great, we lead the Pac-10 in attendance. That's one of the legacies that these seniors are going to leave behind in this program."
On second seed: "I think it's really important. It certainly gives us a little bit of an edge and we'll take anything we can get at this point, especially when we have to play three games in three days to win."
On new NCAA Tournament format: "This is the first year where they've gone to predetermined sites for the first two rounds and the regional. The reason they've done that is one, fairness of play, so fewer of the top teams end up playing on their own court. I think that will be good for the game, it may take awhile to get the attendance up, but I think it's a more fair process than in the past."
SENIOR FORWARD KELLIE DALAN
On being the first to cry: "I lost the bet. When we were shooting free throws and they started to play 'Hey baby'; I started to get a little misty eyed. When I saw my dad, that's when I lost it. He started to get a little teary and he's always the one who makes me cry, so when I grabbed his hand, the dam was broke."
On future of the program: "I have no doubt that the underclassmen will step it up. This program is renowned for recruiting great leaders and great players. Every new wave someone good comes in, so I'm not too worried about the future of our program."
JUNIOR GUARD GIULIANA MENDIOLA
On postseason tournament: "We're definitely looking forward to this tournament. Last year we got ousted in the first game and this year we're very much improved. We're just going to go out there and play hard. Play together like we have been all year. I think we have a great shot of winning it all, so I'm excited."
SENIOR GUARD LOREE PAYNE
On the emotions of the game: "There were about a gazillion things going on before the game. There was a lot of running around trying to get things organized. I think our team responded well to that, we came out as focused as we could be considering everything that was going on. I thought we came out and played a really good first half. There certainly was a lot of emotion. Though I wasn't the first to cry, I don't think it has quite hit me yet. I think when we're celebrating in Atlanta that's when it will hit me. The last game will hit me harder because today we know we get to go put our uniforms back on and play on Saturday."
On career: "After the Kayla Burt incident we were in the hospital and Mike Daughtery turned and said, "We've been through absolutely everything now", just putting everything into perspective. We had the worst season in school history and then turned around and had the best season in school history. Being a part of that first season makes you appreciate more the turnaround that we made the hard work that we put in and how much it paid off. It's been incredible. I think this team has the potential to go even further than that Elite 8 team. If we put things together, I'm absolutely confident in this team and I'm excited to see where we finish off this year. It's been everything I can think of and more."
On next year's seniors: "Giuliana's an incredible leader, if you stop working hard, she'll be right on you in a good way. She motivates people and makes people around her better. It's going to be a pretty intense senior night next year, fortunately Seattle gets to see them play. I feel fortunate to have been able to play with those guys. They bring so much on and off the court. It has definitely made my senior year special and the years prior."
